Gig Report: Joe Bonamassa @ M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool 25/04/25

Photo Credit: David Pickles

 

If you had told me as an eager teenager learning to play the guitar that one day, not only would I be going to see this show live, but get to go as a member of the press, and people would want to read my gig report from the show, I would have thought you were a crazy person. Like most kids who pick up the guitar, I started to idolise many musicians. However, I think it’s fair to say not many captured my imagination quite like the master of modern blues rock, Joe Bonamassa. I think what captured my attention the most about him was how slick and effortless he made the guitar look. Every note is hit with pinpoint precision, every melody performed with such conviction, and his records never fail to enthral me. So, just getting the opportunity to watch someone who has spent over 10000 hours mastering their craft play is one I could never pass up.

Getting into Liverpool, there was just that feeling of excitement in the air. I usually go to Manchester for shows, and it’s been a hot minute since I’ve gone to the Liverpool Arena for a concert, but I have to say, it is a lovely venue. Located on King’s Dock, with the vibrant nightlife of the city only a few minutes' walk away. The venue opened up before the noted door time. I collected my ticket for the show and made my way into the venue. The arena started to fill up very nicely. Not only were there no support acts to warm up the crowd, but the show was an entirely seated affair. So there was no excuse for the crowd to turn up late or to fight for a good view of the stage. It all felt very well organised, and there was definitely a certain level of calm to the crowd.

The lights started to fade, and the band took to the stage. A burst of blues rock fury spread across the arena. Opening with “Hope You Realize It (Goodbye Again)”, and immediately, you could see how well this lineup gelled together as a band. You can just tell that every single musician on stage had this set locked down, and they could just get lost in the flow of the show. Joe himself is such a force of nature; without saying a word to the crowd, you can just feel his presence. No matter where he was on the stage, it was just impossible not to watch him. Man, when Joe sang, his voice just echoed throughout the venue. Everything fell into place so wonderfully. The first song came to a close, and the dulcet spaghetti-western tone of the opening of “Dust Bowl” started, and that undeniable groove kicked in. This song has always resonated with me, and it was so good to finally get to hear it live and how it morphed and changed from the original album sound. On the album, the song is so polished and clean, but live, this song takes on a whole new life. It’s one of those songs that just fascinates me. The understated riff is an old-school blues one; it’s very simple, but with the accompaniment of that bass groove fills in the gaps and provides the atmosphere.

The setlist charged on. I think the set was a good mix of music from Joe’s career. Some noticeable songs that you don’t often think about but are fantastic parts of Joe’s discography. I think there were quite a few songs that allowed Joe and his band to stretch their legs. The song that stuck with me the most was “The Last Matador of Bayonne” from his 2011 album Dust Bowl, which gave me a deep emotional experience as Joe and blues-rock legend Reese Wynans worked off of one another so wonderfully. Wynans himself was on top form throughout the night. As you might expect from a Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer. Another song that grappled for my attention was “The Heart That Never Waits” from the 2021 record, Time Clocks. This was a song I fell in love with, through Joe’s Tales of Time live DVD. This song is just one that feels like a classic; it feels like a song that’s always existed. This was one where I noted all of the band working together, and all of the pieces fell into place.

Photo Credit: Mark Lear

It was a good hour into the performance before Joe even addressed the audience. Joe spoke to the audience about his day off in Liverpool. He mentioned that on his day off, he sought out the true culture of Liverpool only to find a bar that was endlessly playing music by Ed Sheeran. (For the record, Ed is not from Liverpool as much as a British icon he is.) Needless to say, this got a good laugh out of the crowd. This set was a mammoth two-hour and fifteen-minute-long one, and Joe made use of all of the time. Not even minor technical errors could slow down the machine that is the blues master. Even when one of his guitar cables failed him, it barely felt noticeable until Joe pointed it out himself.

Joe’s band was a complete dream team. I’ve already mentioned Mr. Wynans on the electric organ and keyboard. However, it is worth mentioning how good the other performers were. On the second guitar was a gifted bluesman himself, Josh Smith. Not only could he keep up with Joe, he even managed to get in his solos and also filled in a lot of the space. Creating harmonies between the two guitars. Joe’s backing vocalists were complete powerhouses. Jade McRae shone as her voice hollered and resonated through the arena acoustics, and Danni DeAndrea made her presence felt, her bold vocals cutting through the sound of the big blues band. I loved that Joe allowed them space to breathe and show off their incredible talents. In the rhythm section, we had Calvin Turner on bass and Lemar Carter on drums. Turner was the anchor, the foundation of the set. When any of the other musicians on stage would go completely wild, they could always rely on Turner being there, keeping that groove so tight and succinct. Carter was an absolute unit on the drums. He made every single drum hit sound so effective, and he kept going and going and going like the Energizer Bunny. Then, when you thought he was all out of tricks, he busted out an amazing solo towards the end of the set. Everything about this lineup felt like a late-night blues joint that plays way past midnight, but given a Hollywood budget.

Ending the main set on Led Zeppelin’s “How Many More Times” felt like a good way to close off this mammoth evening. Joe’s version of this song is performed with supreme precision and feels more like an orchestral arrangement than the original Zeppelin song. It felt like an earned victory for him. It’s been many years since Joe last performed in Liverpool, and he didn’t disappoint for a second. Case and point, coming back on stage for one last encore, he performed the fan-favourite classic “Sloe Gin” from the 2007 record of the same name. This is probably one of the few songs synonymous with Joe. I think, if you say his name, this is more than likely going to be one of the first songs you get recommended. This is for a good reason, because it’s one of the most iconic anthems in modern blues. Joe’s solo for this one alone is so good that it could break anyone's scepticism about blues music. 

Photo Credit: David Pickles

So, I’ve spent over a thousand words now gushing over this evening. I think it’s all justified, though. The Liverpool faithful appreciated the performance, giving a long and sustained standing ovation. If blues music were a video game, then Joe Bonamassa would be one of the boss levels, if not the final boss. His skill, talent and relentless effort that he continues to put into mastering his craft are so fantastic to watch play out in concert. The way he plays the guitar is so entrancing as his fingers dance around the frets, creating the most wonderful sounds. He just makes everything look so effortless, not only that, he inspires people to go out and pick up a guitar. I think that’s what I love most about him. His passion gives others passion for the blues, which is the most important part of blues music, that it’s passed on and lives on.

Photo Credits: David Pickles & Mark Lear

 

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